Van EDC, Venison Joe’s Bring Holiday Meal To Local Families

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
The Christmas spirit of giving to others often includes reaching out to those who would otherwise have nothing for the holiday, including food.
That was what Tom Regan, owner of Venison Joe’s in Van, said he had in mind with an effort to provide holiday meals for families who needed them last week.
With a helping hand from the Van Economic Development Corporation and Van ISD, Regan was able to put together 26 such dinners, each featuring a smoked brisket he had prepared.
“Doing this through the Van EDC seemed the best way. They went through the school district to ask for help in identifying families we could help, and we got five from each campus,” Regan said.
Each dinner also came with potatoes, dinner rolls, pinto beans, cake and drink mixes.
Families came by Christmas Eve last week at the Van EDC office downtown to pick up their free holiday dinners.
“This was a big thing we wanted to do at Christmas,” Regan said. “The idea is that we wanted a way to express appreciation for the support from the community for Venison Joe’s.
“Something like this gives a local business a chance to pay it forward, and combining with the Van EDC gives it a sort of synergistic effect,” he added.
Van EDC Executive Director Jerrod Fishback said his organization was more than happy to help spread Christmas cheer to families who needed it.
“We were thrilled to partner with Venison Joe’s to reach out to the Van community,” he said.
“It has been a pleasure to help Tom do this. We want to do whatever we can to support businesses here in Van and the entire community,” Fishback said.

Photo by Terry BrittVenison Joe’s owner Tom Regan, left, and Van Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jerrod Fishback were at the Van EDC office on Christmas Eve distributing smoked brisket dinners to needy families in the Van area. A total of 26 dinners were distributed that afternoon.